Spare an Hour, Save Multiple Lives. Big Billings Blood Drive 8/22

Summer Blood Drive Saves Lives

The Red Cross has sounded the alarm - blood donations are slipping. It seems to happen every year around this time, as we try to jam as many activities as possible into the final weeks of summer.  Regular donors are at the cabin or campsite, families are getting ready for back-to-school, and all of us are just busy. Unfortunately, as the blood bank supplies get low this time of year, the need increases during the summer months, with more injuries and automobile accidents than in the winter months.

Date with Donating: August 22nd at the Billings VA Center.

The Billings VA Medical Center is the place to be, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on August 22nd. The Benjamin Charles Steele Clinic at 1766 Majestic Lane (in the neighborhood of the Montana Club, just off Zoo Drive) will transform into a life-giving oasis. Get in on the action at RedCrossBlood.org using the code VABILLINGS. Prefer the phone? Dial 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to make your appointment.

One Hour, Many Heroes

An hour of your time can be the difference between life and loss. Each drop donated is a chance to save not one, but multiple lives. Thomas Hensley, an organizer for Red Cross Blood Drives in Montana said in a press release, "We rely on the generosity of donors to keep hospital shelves stocked."

Every August donor gets a $10 e-gift card to a movie theater of their choice. Saving lives while scoring movie tickets – now that's a double feature!

Montana's Big Heart

Montana shines bright, collecting over 44,000 units of life-giving blood yearly. These units of blood reach 30+ hospitals and medical centers in our region."Cancer patients, accident victims, expecting moms and countless others are depending on us," Hensley said. "This is a great opportunity to help our friends and neighbors."

Hey, I know you're busy... we all are. But if you've got an hour to spare on the 22nd of August, why not donate blood?